Kurt Wenner – opening at the IMA this weekend!

Taking sidewalk art to the highest level....

Here’s a chance to meet the guy who makes this incredible art – here’s the deal, from IMA Director Jennifer Elise:

IMA Museum and Sculpture Park is proud to announce the
July 16, 2011 Opening Exhibit of Kurt Wenner – Master Artist Master Architect at the Museum in Friday Harbor

Kurt Wenner in action

Kurt Wenner, famous for creating three-dimensional drawings and revolutionizing sidewalk art, will host a reception for the public on Saturday, July 16, 5-8 pm, at the Museum on Spring Street.

Known throughout the world as 3D Street Painting, 3D Pavement Art, 3D Chalk Art, or 3D Sidewalk Art, Wenner’s work is a form of anamorphic art. Anamorphism is usually considered a form of Illusion or Trompe loeil, but is really the logical mathematical continuation of Perspective.

The IMA Museum, 285 Spring Street will present several models of Kurt Wenner’s work. These models are based on previous ephemeral and impermanent artwork and will include for the visitor the use of a viewer and 3D glasses. Both Museum Galleries will be filled with studies, originals, prints, photographs and models creating an exhibition correllating with Wenner’s new book “Asphalt Renaissance.”

“Asphalt Renaissance” will be released August 2, during the IMA Exhibition of Kurt Wenner’s work and the book signing will be held at the Museum later in August. “Kurt Wenner’s exhibit at IMA focuses on the history of pigment art and the development of 3-dimensional ephemeral art. The development of cell phones, digital photography, and internet has created documentation of this primarily performance art. Kurt Wenner’s work presents a fantastic merging of classic studies and modern Pop Art.

Living art...

Wenner has expanded his street paintings to include installations with holographic viewing lenses and pioneering new art forms integrating technology, classic style, and steroscopic 3-dimensional techniques. “It is exciting to present an artist who has created an art movement and is well known world-wide through his performance art, installations, and internet exposure” IMA Director, Jennifer Elise stated. “We’re also very proud to be a part of Kurt Wenner’s current book release.”

The resume of Kurt Wenner ranges from “Absolut Wenner,” the vodka advertisement, “The Last Judgement” signed by Pope John Paul II, installations/designs in both Disneyland Tokyo and France, to a lecture series at the Smithsonian. Wenner has also received the prestigious Kennedy Center Medallion Award for outstanding contribution to arts education.

Historically known as Madonnari, Street Painters, Pavement artists, Chalk Artists, and Sidewalk Artists have designed impermanent or Ephemeral Art for centuries. Asphalt Renaissance, Wenner’s book to be released in August, contains a Street Painting History, explaining how sidewalk art and pavement art transformed itself into a spectacular medium, popular in Advertising, Publicity, and Street Painting Festivals.

While studying classical architecture and perspective, Kurt Wenner applied the principles of classical drawing and classical design to the sidewalk. “Street painting and pavement art have been transformed beyond recognition by Kurt Wenner and this IMA Exhibition tells this story so eloquently.” stated Elise, IMA Director.

An Opening Reception will be held for the Kurt Wenner Exhibit on July 16 from 5-8pm at IMA 285 Spring St. The Reception will include conversation with the artist, wine and the unveiling of the exhibition. For further information contact Jennifer Elise 360.370.5050 or check out the IMA web site at www.sjima.org

You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.